Method and apparatus for arresting a crack within a body

Abstract

An inseparable assembly includes a body having a plurality of plies stacked in face to face relation and bonded together, wherein each of the plurality of plies includes a ceramic matrix composite material having a first predetermined ductility. The assembly further includes a reinforcement including a metallic wire mesh bonded to said body so that at least a portion of the metallic wire mesh is positioned between two adjacent plies in the body. The metallic wire mesh has a second predetermined ductility greater than the first ductility.

1. A variable geometry exhaust nozzle for a gas turbine engine having an exhaust centerline, said nozzle comprising:
 a plurality of flaps arranged around the exhaust centerline, each of said flaps having a sealing surface; and 
 a plurality of flap seals, each of said seals having a body including a sealing surface and being positioned between a pair of flaps of said plurality of flaps so that the sealing surface of the seal engages the sealing surface of at least one of said adjacent flaps, each of said bodies including a plurality of plies stacked and bonded together, 
 wherein at least one of said seal bodies has a reinforcement bonded to said body so that at least a portion of said reinforcement is positioned between two adjacent plies in said body, and 
 wherein at least one seal body includes an interior edge defining an opening extending through at least one ply of said plurality of plies and said reinforcement is bonded to said body so that said reinforcement overlaps at least a portion of said interior edge. 
 
   
   
     2. A variable geometry exhaust nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said seal bodies comprise an oxide-based ceramic matrix composite material. 
   
   
     3. A variable geometry exhaust nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said reinforcement comprises a metallic wire mesh. 
   
   
     4. A variable geometry exhaust nozzle in accordance with  claim 3  wherein said metallic wire mesh comprises at least one of a nickel-based alloy, a cobalt-based alloy, and a stainless steel. 
   
   
     5. A variable geometry exhaust nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said reinforcement is bonded to said seal body so that said reinforcement overlaps at least a portion of an edge of a ply of said plurality of plies of said body. 
   
   
     6. A variable geometry exhaust nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said reinforcement is bonded to said seal body so that said reinforcement extends to an edge of a ply of said plurality of plies of said body. 
   
   
     7. A variable geometry exhaust nozzle for a gas turbine engine having an exhaust centerline, said nozzle comprising:
 a plurality of flaps arranged around the exhaust centerline, each of said flaps having a sealing surface; and 
 a plurality of flap seals, each of said seals having a body including a sealing surface and being positioned between a pair of flaps of said plurality of flaps so that the sealing surface of the seal engages the sealing surface of at least one of said adjacent flaps, each of said bodies including a plurality of plies stacked and bonded together, 
 wherein at least one of said seal bodies has a reinforcement bonded to said body so that at least a portion of said reinforcement is positioned between two adjacent plies in said body and overlaps at least a portion of an edge of a ply of said plurality of plies of said body. 
 
   
   
     8. A variable geometry exhaust nozzle in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said seal bodies comprise an oxide-based ceramic matrix composite material. 
   
   
     9. A variable geometry exhaust nozzle in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said reinforcement comprises a metallic wire mesh. 
   
   
     10. A variable geometry exhaust nozzle in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said metallic wire mesh comprises at least one of a nickel-based alloy, a cobalt-based alloy, and a stainless steel. 
   
   
     11. A variable geometry exhaust nozzle in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said reinforcement is bonded to said seal body so that said reinforcement extends to an edge of a ply of said plurality of plies of said body. 
   
   
     12. A variable geometry exhaust nozzle for a gas turbine engine having an exhaust centerline, said nozzle comprising:
 a plurality of flaps arranged around the exhaust centerline, each of said flaps having a sealing surface; and 
 a plurality of flap seals, each of said seals having a body including a sealing surface and being positioned between a pair of flaps of said plurality of flaps so that the sealing surface of the seal engages the sealing surface of at least one of said adjacent flaps, each of said bodies including a plurality of plies stacked and bonded together, 
 wherein at least one of said seal bodies has a reinforcement bonded to said body so that at least a portion of said reinforcement is positioned between two adjacent plies in said body and wraps around at least a portion of an edge of at least one ply of said plurality of plies of said body. 
 
   
   
     13. A variable geometry exhaust nozzle in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said seal bodies comprise an oxide-based ceramic matrix composite material. 
   
   
     14. A variable geometry exhaust nozzle in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said reinforcement comprises a metallic wire mesh. 
   
   
     15. A variable geometry exhaust nozzle in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said metallic wire mesh comprises at least one of a nickel-based alloy, a cobalt-based alloy, and a stainless steel. 
   
   
     16. A variable geometry exhaust nozzle in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said reinforcement is bonded to said seal body so that said reinforcement extends to an edge of a ply of said plurality of plies of said body.